Exploring the relationship between sleep quality, emotional well-being and aggression levels in a European sample

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is well known to negatively affect mood, cognition and behaviour. The current study explored the relationship between sleep quantity, subjective sleep quality and aggression, hostility and well-being levels among adults in a non-clinical population. Two hundred and one participants aged 18 and above from Germany, UK and the Netherlands completed an online survey consisting of a sleep quality index (PSQI) along with measures of psychological well-being, implicit and explicit aggression, and intent attributions. Sleep disturbances were expected to increase hostile attributions and emotional problems such as irritability, distress and inner tension. Additionally, poor sleep quality was expected to predict increased (reactive) aggression. Our results confirmed that sleep disturbances were related to decreased levels of psychological well-being. Subjective poor sleep quality predicted increased hostile attributions. The overall sleep experience however was not associated with aggression levels. Nevertheless, both a poor sleep experience and low sleep quality were related to increased reactive aggression, but only in British participants. Current findings highlight the importance of sleep quality rather than sleep quantity in predicting hostile and aggressive behaviours, particularly perceived quality.

Sleep, Well-Being and Academic Performance: A Study in a Singapore Residential College

“…Contrary to the findings of Freitag et al (2017) , our univariate analysis did not reveal any relationship between frequency of sleep disturbances and psychological well-being. Our analysis, however, revealed that sleep duration has a positive association with psychological well-being, a result that is consistent with the findings of Richter (2015) .…”

“…Zhai et al (2018), taking into exam the role of sleep quality in the psychological well-being of final year undergraduate students, reported that poor sleep quality is associated with high levels of negative psychological wellbeing. Similarly, in a study involving subjects of age 18 and above (the majority being students), Freitag et al (2017) found that sleep disturbances were related to decreased levels of psychological well-being. In addition, from a large sample of university students from 16 countries, Allgower et al (2001) found that excessive (>9 h) or insufficient (<7 h) sleep was linked to increased risk in social isolation, thus implying an inverted U-shaped relationship between psychological well-being and sleep duration.…”

Effect of Receiving Sessions about Sleep Hygiene Practices on Quality of Sleep Pattern, Insomnia and Academic Achievement among Nursing Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea

“…The current finding is conformable with a doctorate theses executed in Iowa City, IA, USA, where it was found that sleep deprivation is negatively correlated with psychological well-being within a university student population (Richter, 2015) . It also matches an online survey implemented in Germany, UK & Netherlands, where it was discovered that sleep disturbances were related to decreased levels of psychological well-being (Freitag et al, 2017). In addition, the present finding suits a survey accomplished in china, where it was reported that poor sleep quality is associated with high levels of negative psychological well-being (Zhai et al, 2018).…”

Psychological distress in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: The role of hostility and coping self-efficacy

“…Hostility has previously been found to be associated with the presence of OSA, the degree of daytime sleepiness (Yue et al, 2003) and poor night-time sleep quality (Freitag et al, 2017; Xiao et al, 2016) but not with severity of the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) or oxygen desaturation (Yue et al, 2003). Hostility is conceptualized as a negative cynical attitude towards others, with a propensity for anger, aggression (Cook and Medley, 1954; Ireland and Culpin, 2006), distrust or cynicism (Barefoot et al, 1989).…”

“…Hostility may represent a risk factor for all-cause mortality (Nabi et al, 2008) and impaired mental health outcomes, with evidence being especially strong in patients with cardiovascular diseases (Silarova et al, 2016). Furthermore, hostility may be linked to increased negative emotionality (Brissette and Cohen, 2002), depression (Heponiemi et al, 2006), suicidal ideation and attempts (Brezo et al, 2006; Lemogne et al, 2011), sleep disruption (Brissette and Cohen, 2002) and poor sleep quality (Freitag et al, 2017). This symptomatic sleep disruption often causes serious decreases in blood oxygen levels, with potential life-threatening cardiovascular consequences (Bardwell et al, 2001; Leger et al, 2012), while these mechanisms may be even more strongly aggravated by hostility (Hall et al, 2004; Mezick et al, 2010).…”